Greetings, brothers and sisters in Christ and children of God,

Resurrection Sunday is only a day away. It is the day we remember the Feast of First Fruits. It is also the day many call Easter. We call it Resurrection Sunday because Jesus was resurrected from the dead and established His power over death. Some may call it First Fruits, because Jesus was the first fruit to enter heaven after he sacrificed His life for us during the feasts. Others refer to this celebration as Easter Sunday.

Many debate the word, or name “Easter,” and its origin. Some claim that Easter comes from the Mesopotamian Goddess Ishtar, and others say it comes from an Anglo-Saxon Goddess named Eostre. I am more inclined to believe that it came from the latter because the name “Eostre” comes from the word Eosturmonath for a spring month. It just so happens that the celebration of the resurrection is in the spring, and so this connection could be acceptable. 

However, the bible mentions nothing about a month called Eostre or Eosturmonath. In fact, the months mentioned are Abib (Exodus 12:2) and later Nisan (Nehemiah 2:1; Esther 3:7). Abib and Nisan are the same month. Abib means “New Beginnings,” and it became the first month for the Israelites after the exodus from Egypt. Nisan is from the Babylonian calendar, but still the first month of the Jewish calendar.

Here is where I differ in the debate. The scriptures never mention “Easter” or refer to Jesus as the Easter Lamb. In fact, they refer to Jesus the Christ as the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). Christ was also resurrected on the third day, so it makes sense to call it Resurrection Sunday. It is not the death of Christ that sets us free, but His resurrection. His resurrection also falls on the day known as the Feast of First Fruits. It is the third of seven feasts that take place each year on their ordained times. This third feast is connected to the first feast, called the Passover. Therefore, Christ is our first fruit into Heaven. This makes the most sense to call this day First Fruit Sunday or Resurrection Sunday.

Whatever your choice of calling this great day of celebration, it does not matter. What matters is that you believe in the One who came and died for you so you may have eternal life with the Creator. I encourage you, if you are not a believer, to seek the truth. If you are a believer then celebrate like it was your last day on earth.

Last week, the little lambs learned about the triumphant entrance of Jesus on the Sunday we now recognize as Palm Sunday, and how he celebrated Passover through the Last Supper. We even learned a new song called Dayenu (דּינו

), which means “enough”. This week, we will obviously be talking about Resurrection Sunday, also called Easter, and why we need not just the death of Christ, but also His resurrection.

I look forward to worshipping with you tomorrow and celebrating Resurrection Sunday and our First Fruit who has gone before us to prepare a place for us. If, for whatever reason, I do not see you tomorrow, may the Lord bless you with love, joy, peace, and may He give you comfort, healing, strength, and guidance when you need it.

Join us for Easter Service at 10AM.

God bless you,

Your brother in Christ,

Michael (aka Mr. Michael)